The Goa State Election Commission on Monday issued notification announcing panchayat elections across more than 185 local panchayats to be held on May 16.

With the announcement, the code of conduct has also come into force which means no developmental work or government recruitment can take place during this period. Nominations for all 1,500 wards would be accepted from April 23 to April 30 following which there will be one day for withdrawal. A senior official said that the election process will conclude by May 19 as on that day, almost all panchayats will complete their five year tenure.

Four panchayats including Taleigao, Kasarvanem, Alorna and Chandel-Hansapur will not be going for polls as their tenure is yet to end. The political parties are eying the election as various local issues and numerous promises are a part of their campaigning. BJP’s North Goa MP Shripad Naik’s son Siddhesh Naik is all set to begin his political career by contesting from Old Goa panchayat.